Kittery schools take precautions after rumors of threat

By Staff reports

December 20, 2012 - 11:29 AM

KITTERY, Maine — There will be increased police presence at all Kittery schools on Friday, Dec. 21, following rumors of a Facebook message containing a threat of an attack at high schools in Cumberland and York counties, Superintendent Allyn Hutton announced via email Thursday.

The Facebook message “was an indirect broad threat about a possible shooting that will happen at schools,” said Police Chief Paul Callaghan.

According to Hutton’s email alert there is not currently a substantiated threat to Kittery’s schools — Mitchell School, Shapleigh School and R.W. Traip Academy — but officials are taking the threat “very seriously” and will continue to monitor the situation and take action as needed.

As of Thursday morning, the origin of the Facebook message was still not determined, said Maine State Police spokesman Steve McCausland.

Hutton said she received notification of the threat on Wednesday from Frank Sherburne, the superintendent of Maine School Administrative District 6 in Buxton. The threat was initially thought to be contained in a text message, said Hutton. It targeted specific high schools as well as high schools in general in both counties.

Traip Academy was not one of the named schools, but Hutton said she thought it prudent to increase security measures Friday. In addition to uniformed police inside all schools all day on Friday, the doors to all of the school will be locked.

“I want to believe it’s a hoax or prank for someone who wants to start vacation early,” she said. “But to be prudent, we have to be on heightened alert.”

Callaghan said there have been uniformed officers this week at all Kittery schools in the morning and at the end of the school day, given the shootings in Newtown, Conn. last Friday.

School officials in Portland and Gorham said they’re increasing the police presence as well after hearing about the Facebook message.

In a statement, Portland Schools Superintendent Emmanuel Caulk said the threat hasn’t been confirmed and doesn’t name specific schools.

In an open letter to parents, Gorham Superintendent Ted Sharp asked them to be attentive to conversations, emails, Facebook postings and behavioral changes.

McCausland said more information will be forthcoming Thursday afternoon.

Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.

Fact Box

Superintendent's Letter

December 20, 2012

As some of you may have heard, there are unverified Facebook rumors regarding possible attacks at high schools in Cumberland and York County on Friday, December 21. Law enforcement officers at this time have not confirmed the authenticity of the Facebook message but are continuing to investigate.

At this time, the Kittery School Department, in collaboration with the Kittery Police Department, has developed a plan for increased police presence on school grounds and in school buildings on Friday. We have reviewed our security measures and will be taking immediate steps to ensure the safety of all students and staff.

While there is not a substantiated threat to our specific schools at this time, we are taking the threat very seriously and will continue to monitor the situation and take any and all actions as needed.